Process of obtaining zinc.



Patented Sept. 2, I902.

v E. H. HOPKINS. PROCESSUF OBTAINING ZINC.

=App1icaticm filed July 1, 1901.)

(No Model.)

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EVAN HENRY HOPKINS, or SOUTH KENSINGTON, ENGLAND.

PROCESS OF OBTAINING zmc.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 708,044, dated September 2, 1902.

\ Application filed July 1, 1901. $erial No. 66,721- (No specimens.)

This invention has for its object the obtain-- ing of zinc uncontaminated with lead from mixtures of lead and zinc oxid, principally derived from complex sulfid ores containing these two metals.

The process I conduct as follows: The ore having been previously roasted by the ordinary methods for converting the sulfids into oxids is intimately mixed with a sufficient amount of coal or other carbonaceous ma terial to reduce the metallic oxide and to prevent the lead subsequently produced from attacking the vessel in which it is heated, the amount used depending on the nature of the ore. The products of distillation in the process of smelting are passed upward through a filter of incandescent carbon, whereby the zinc is obtained in a state of purity, the lead remaining behind in the retort or distilling vessel. The carbon forming the filter may be either in the form of a co1n pressed porous block or in a finely-divided state contained in a perforated vessel. Before the process of distillation begins the carbon filter is brought to a state of incandescence and so fitted into the apparatus that it is impossible for the gases or vapors to escape into the receiving vessel without passing through it. The carbon filters can be adapted to any existing retorts, muffles, or furnaces used for the distillation of zinc, and

through it andnot around it.

the lead in the residue after distillation may be recovered by any well-known method.

An apparatus suitable for carrying my invention into eifect is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which is designed for use with an ordinary laboratory muffle-furnace.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 2 is a cross-section, of apparatus for carrying out my process.

A is the retort, made of some suitable fireresisting material, preferably clay.

Bis the porous carbon filter, which is carefully luted to the shelf at the top of the retort on which it rests, so that all gases must pass When the carbon isincandescent, the charge of ore, mixed with carbonaceous matter, is introduced through the door 0, which is then hermetically sealed. The zinc then distils through the carbon filter and is condensed and collected in some suitable receiver at D, the other gases and any zinc fume passing on through the orifice E, where it may be collected by any well-known method.

WhatI claim is roasting lead-zinc sulfid ores, mixing the metallic oxids thus obtained with carbonaceous material, heating the same in a closed retort and passing the products of distillation upward through carbon heated to incandes- EVAN HENRY HOPKINS. Witnesses:

GEORGE ISAAC BRIDGES,

WILFRED OARPINAEL.

. 7 1. The process of obtaining zinc free from 

